Saints + Scripture: Lent — The Long Road Back, I of III

The Popish Plot
Fish Fry-day: "Alternative Fish"

Commentary: Day two of The Popish Plot's "Turn It Up to 11" fête!

Friday, 23 March was the Optional Memorial of Saint Turibius of Mogrovejo, Bishop (1538-1606): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Twas also the festival of Blessed Edmund Sykes, Priest & Martyr (circa 1550-1587), martyred in the reign of the English queen Elizabeth I, one of the Eighty-five Martyrs of England & Wales: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Martyrs-link LXXXV & Wikipedia-link LXXXV.

'Twas also the festival of Blessed Peter O'Higgins, Priest & Martyr, O.P. (1601-1642, also spelt Peadar Ó Huiggin), martyred in the reign of the English king Charles I, one of the Irish Martyrs: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link (list); Martyrs-link Irish & Wikipedia-link Irish.

'Twas also the festival of Saint José Orioli, Priest (1650-1702, Anglicized as Joseph Oriol; the "Wonder-worker of Barcelona"): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of That Day
Mass Readings—Lenten Weekday
The Book of Jeremiah, chapter twenty, verses ten thru thirteen;
Psalm Psalm Eighteen, verses two & three(a), three(b/c) & four, five & six, & seven;
The Gospel according to John, chapter ten, verses thirty-one thru forty-two.

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):

Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jewish leaders attempt to stone Jesus because he claimed to be the Son of God. He defended his identity, saying "If I do not perform my Father’s works, do not believe me; but if I perform them, even if you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may realize and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father."

At the Last Supper, Jesus would further explain his intimate relationship with the Father. There he lays out for us the co-inherence that obtains at the most fundamental dimension of being, that is to say, within the very existence of God. "Lord," Philip said to him, "Show us the Father, and that will be enough for us." Jesus replied, "Philip, after I have been with you all this time, you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father."

How can this be true, unless the Father and the Son coinhere in each other? Though Father and Son are truly distinct, they are utterly implicated in each other by a mutual act of love. As Jesus says, "It is the Father who lives in me, accomplishing his works."

Video reflection by Deacon Mike Pawelek: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Papal Quote o' That Day

"Let us ask the Lord to show us & the world the beauty & fullness of this new life, of being born of the Spirit, of treating each other with kindness, with respect. Let us ask for this grace for us all."
—Pope Francis

Little Flower Quote o' That Day

"To be His, one must remain little, little like a drop of dew!… Oh! how few are the souls who aspire to remain little in this way!"
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Saint Quote o' That Day

"For faith is the beginning & the end is love, & God is the two of them brought into unity. After these comes whatever else makes up a Christian gentleman."
—St. Ignatius of Antioch, Apostolic Father (circa 35-108, feast day: 17 October)